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The critical lens on today's culture & entertainmentFri, 09 Dec 2016 09:44:45 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6.1DVD Review: Terminator – The Sarah Connor Chronicles The Complete First Seasonhttp://blogcritics.org/dvd-review-terminator-the-sarah-connor/
http://blogcritics.org/dvd-review-terminator-the-sarah-connor/#respondThu, 11 Sep 2008 22:42:36 +0000The Sarah Connor Chronicles exploded onto Fox television in January, taking the Terminator mythology to a new level. The series won ratings, and it was picked up for a second season which premiered on September 8 on Fox. This DVD set was released in August, and it contains all the episodes that made season one. As a fan of the Terminator franchise, I was excited to hear about and see this series when it premiered, and was pleasantly surprised by it.

The series takes place during John Connor’s teen years, in the period following the second Terminator film. However, this series takes a giant leap away from the events in the films to create its own story. This confused and angered many fans of the series of films, but it was soon seen that this series could live separately from the movies. The timeline set forth in the films will continue forward on the big screen when Terminator Salvation hits theaters in May.

The Sarah Connor Chronicles stars Lena Headey as Sarah Connor, Thomas Dekker as John Connor, and Summer Glau as Cameron, the terminator sent back in time to save him this time around. Brian Austin Green also joins the cast during the season as Derek Reese, John’s uncle sent back on separate mission from the future. Brian and Summer are both familiar to Fox audiences. Brian made it big as David Silver on Beverly Hills 90210 during the 1990s, and Summer was a part of Firefly on Fox.

The DVD box set contains three discs that are a mix of episodes and special features. The season consisted of nine episodes, and the DVD also has an extended version of one of them, episode seven titled "The Demon Hand." Along with audition tapes, a gag reel, and a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the series, this DVD set is a must-have for any fan of The Sarah Connor Chronicles. New episodes air on Fox, Monday nights at 8/7c.

]]>http://blogcritics.org/dvd-review-terminator-the-sarah-connor/feed/0Music Review: Sarah McLachlan – Fumbling Toward Ecstasy (Legacy Edition)http://blogcritics.org/music-review-sarah-mclachlan-fumbling-toward/
http://blogcritics.org/music-review-sarah-mclachlan-fumbling-toward/#commentsThu, 04 Sep 2008 01:04:39 +0000First released in 1993, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy is probably one of Sarah McLachlan’s most recognized releases. It is the album credited with launching her into International super stardom, and it jump started her career, which was already promising in her native home of Canada. Re-released on August 5, the CD is now celebrating its fifteenth anniversary. This version contains the CD itself, and a few extra surprises thrown in.

Some of the most recognizable songs are "Possession," "Good Enough," and "Fear." In 1994, the singer was sued by a man that claimed his letters to her were the basis of "Possession," but the case never did make it to trial due to the fact the man that brought the lawsuit killed himself before it made it that far. Some of these songs have been included on the soundtracks of movies and television series. The first such appearance was in 1996 on Due South when an acoustic version of "Possession" appeared.

In addition to the original CD, there is a second CD titled The Freedom Sessions. This collection of songs include early versions of the songs released on the CD, including two versions of "Hold On." In addition to both of these CD’s, there is a Live DVD taken from a 1994 performance by the artists. Bonus features on this DVD include a behind the scenes look making of the CD, and four music videos of songs from the CD.

This legacy edition release of Fumbling Towards Ecstasy is something die hard fans of Sarah McLachlan should have in their collection. The bonuses bring you closer to the artists, and they give you a true appreciation for the songs contained here. Fifteen years later, the music lives on, and I’m sure we will continue to see this artist create more music, while these early songs continue to win over new and old fans alike.

]]>http://blogcritics.org/music-review-sarah-mclachlan-fumbling-toward/feed/1Music DVD Review: Shine A Lighthttp://blogcritics.org/music-dvd-review-shine-a-light/
http://blogcritics.org/music-dvd-review-shine-a-light/#commentsSat, 09 Aug 2008 05:14:12 +0000Back in 2006, The Rolling Stones headed out on their A Bigger Bang Tour. One of those stops was at the Beacon Theater in New York City. They performed two shows on October 29 and November 1, 2006. These shows were captured by the film genius Martin Scorsese in Shine A Light.

Scorsese has tried to capture the essence of a Rolling Stones stage show, a task that is not easy to do. Anyone who watches this film or has been to a Rolling Stones show knows that the concert is high energy and hard impact. Mick Jagger doesn’t quit. He dances, he jumps, and he moves around the stage at full speed for almost the entire concert.

The film was originally set for release in September of 2007, but it was delayed until April, 2008. When it did make its way onto the big screen, it was also released in an IMAX version. Imagine Mick and The Stones larger than life in front of you! The DVD hit stores on July 29, and it contains not only the full concert but some nice bonus features including songs not shown in theaters when the film was originally released. There is also behind the scenes footage, which we see briefly during the film itself at the start as Scorsese tries to find out just what the concert set list will be. In this opening, we see him get this set list seconds before Mick hits the stage and the show begins. Talk about cutting it close!

This film shows us once again why The Rolling Stones are still around today. In archive footage shown throughout the concert, we see Mick and the guys talk about their lives and the band at different points in their career. We see Mick say he sees himself only doing this for another year back in the early days of the band in 1964. The Stones originally formed in 1962, and almost fifty years later they are still rocking it hard. That is almost unbelievable to me, but it is a simple fact. All one has to do is watch this concert, and you can see for yourself that Mick and the boys have still got it.

This DVD shows the best of what the band has to offer. I do think it would be even better experienced on the big screen. I missed out on that opportunity, but if you have the DVD it is almost as good. The Rolling Stones perform some of their classic hits such as “Start Me Up,” “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” and if you check out the bonus performances, one of my favorites, “Paint It Black.” Guest appearances by Jack White and Christina Aguilera also add to this experience, and make this one DVD you don’t want to be without, especially if you are a fan of The Rolling Stones.

]]>http://blogcritics.org/music-dvd-review-shine-a-light/feed/1DVD Review: Fastlane – The Complete Serieshttp://blogcritics.org/dvd-review-fastlane-the-complete-series/
http://blogcritics.org/dvd-review-fastlane-the-complete-series/#respondTue, 22 Jul 2008 16:17:01 +0000Back in 2002, Fastlane hit the Fox network, and it was a television series unlike many that appeared on television before. It brought a big screen feeling to the small screen. Hot guys. Beautiful women. Fast cars, and enough bling to blind you. The series was one of my favorites, and I know I am not alone in this.

The show still has fans to this day, and it is because of those fans we have this DVD. The network canceled the series at the end of the first season because bringing the big screen to the small screen cost way too much for the network. Fans were outraged, but nothing changed. Some still call for a movie of some sort to tie up the loose ends left by the sudden cancellation.

Let’s talk about the series. Imagine seeing your partner shot in front of you, and then being told that you can have an opportunity to go after the bad guys responsible if you become a part of a secret police task force. A new identity is yours. The fancy car, the penthouse suite, the clothes and the money are all yours. This is what happens to Officer Van Ray while working undercover for the L.A.P.D. After his partner’s death, he is approached by another officer, Billie Chambers, to come work with her unit. He is given all he needs to go after the people responsible. The Candy Store, as it is called, contains all the items from previous busts, and these items are used to bring down more criminals.

Van Ray becomes Van Strummer, and he is soon joined by a new partner, the younger brother of the one he lost — Deaq Hayes. For the next twenty-two episodes, we are taken into their world where anything goes. They never break cover. They have their friends who know, but one false move and their cover could be blown. They meet criminal after criminal, and they are caught between good and bad. They find love, and they lose it. They lose their cool, but they find it again. As the season ends, we see them trying to find their boss and friend Billie, when she is kidnapped by one of their suspects. We never know what happens to Billie, and this is one of the sore spots when it comes to fans.

This series starred Tiffani Thiessen as Billie, Peter Facinelli as Van, and Bill Bellamy as Deaq. Facinelli was most recently seen in FX’s Damages, and he will hit the big screen as the leader of the Cullen clan in Twilight. Tiffani and Bill haven’t been much in the spotlight since the end of Fastlane. This television series was funny and action packed with great acting. Each and every week, I tuned, and I wasn’t disappointed once. Everything from great guest stars to great character development and dialogue made this series must watch television for me.

The series was created by McG, the man behind Charlie’s Angels' trip to the big screen, and who's now bringing the next Terminator movie to theaters, Terminator Salvation. Can we get him to bring Fastlane to the big screen at some point? I’ve learned in Hollywood never to say it will never happen. Things happen all the time! The DVD itself contains all twenty-two episodes, cast interviews, bloopers and some unaired material from the pilot episode. After a six year wait for this series to hit DVD, this is definitely one that fans of the series will want to pick up.

]]>http://blogcritics.org/dvd-review-fastlane-the-complete-series/feed/0Movie Review: The Listhttp://blogcritics.org/movie-review-the-list/
http://blogcritics.org/movie-review-the-list/#respondSat, 12 Jul 2008 16:01:03 +0000Released on June 10 by 20th Century Fox, The List introduces us to a world where an age-old group rules over the people on The List with an iron fist. One false step, and you may meet a quick end. It all begins in the 1800s when the group is formed. Blood oaths are forged during the Civil War, and these oaths lead to mystical powers and control over those who are on The List. Throughout the movie, we see that the members of The List will go to any lengths in order to keep their group intact.

Even though the movie begins with the creation of The List during the Civil War, the story is set in the present day. It follows two young adults, Renny and Jo, after the deaths of their fathers. After their fathers' deaths, they receive an invitation to join an organization they have never heard of before. Neither were close to their fathers and had no idea about their fathers' involvement in the group. The two are then thrown into a secret society where death comes quickly if you cross those in charge. This society is no more than a group of men in who wield great power and wealth.

That power is not only because of this wealth, but extends to a power over people. We see the leader of The List, Desmond Larochette, kill members who have gone astray without ever leaving his chair, all because of the oath of blood given to him when people join. The men on The List are promised great things, but at what cost? As Renny soon discovers, the cost is too high, and he begins to challenge the leader and the other men on The List. This puts himself and those he loves at risk.

The movie, based on a novel by Robert Whitlow, stars Malcom McDowell as Desmond. He is the current leader of The List and Hilarie Burton from One Tree Hill stars as Jo. The other main character, Renny, is played by Chuck Carrington. After Renny's father dies, he learns there was much more to the man than he knew. Even with a warning from his father in a posthumous video, he continues on his journey to discover what this mysterious List is about. He is lured in by the possibility of great fortune.

As for the young female, she is quickly pulled off from The List once they see her — The List is an all-boys' club. No girls allowed. You would think this would end her involvement in the story, but instead she is pulled in deeper, and her life is at risk just because she might know a bit too much. We see the lengths those involved will go to keep their fortunes safe as Desmond tries to put an end to her life. Anyone at odds with this plan is at great risk.

This movie is slow-paced, almost to the point where it might be too slow for some. I know it was for me. It is for those who like heavy, slowly unfolding suspense. If you are looking for action, this is not the movie for you to pick up. The acting is not the best in this movie, even though Malcolm McDowell does stand out. The remaining actors aren't familiar at all to me, except for Burton. Not having read the book, I can't comment on the accuracy of the adaptation. The director Gary Wheeler does set an ominous tone with this work, which helps add to the suspense. Perhaps this one is a movie best left for rental instead of adding it to your collection.

]]>http://blogcritics.org/movie-review-the-list/feed/0Music Review: Pat Benatar – Ultimate Collectionhttp://blogcritics.org/music-review-pat-benatar-ultimate-collection/
http://blogcritics.org/music-review-pat-benatar-ultimate-collection/#commentsTue, 01 Jul 2008 18:24:43 +0000For fans of great rock music with a bit of a feminine punch to it, Pat Benatar has released a new collection of her classic hits titled the Ultimate Collection. This 2 CD set hit stores on June 24, and is filled with some of her best songs. Forty of her songs in fact.

This isn’t the first collection of Pat Benatar songs though. Over the years, several have been released. This makes you wonder if another collection is even needed.

This collection has not just hits, but other tracks from her catalog of songs. Both CD’s are filled with songs including some of my personal favorites – "Fire and Ice," "Heartbreaker," "Promises in the Dark," and "Hell is for Children." Her best known hit "Love is a Battlefield" is also on the CD. Every song has been remastered and sound perfect on this collection. With this set, you can pop the CDs in your player and just blast them loud for almost three hours.

Benatar has a strong voice, and her lyrics have always touched a chord across genres. She has rock and pop fans, and this collection will open the doors to a new generation to appreciate her operatic vocal stylings. If you pick up the CD and fall in love with Pat Benatar, she is heading out on tour this summer. Perfect timing for the release of the CD collection.

So if you’re still asking yourself whether or not you need another Pat Benatar CD, I would get this one. The last collection of her songs I picked up is 1994’s Best Shots. This one has all the tracks on that album, and even more. This CD compilation is a perfect way for an older Pat Benatar fan to top off their collection, or for someone new to her music. If you haven’t heard her before, pick this one up!

]]>http://blogcritics.org/music-review-pat-benatar-ultimate-collection/feed/1DVD Review: The Lather Effecthttp://blogcritics.org/dvd-review-the-lather-effect/
http://blogcritics.org/dvd-review-the-lather-effect/#respondSun, 22 Jun 2008 11:45:17 +0000The Lather Effect, released in May by Anchor Bay Entertainment, takes us to the 1980s for a nostalgic look back in time as a group of friends gather for a weekend "come as you were" party for their high school reunion. The party itself is just the beginning. It is after the party that things begin to get interesting as old flames are revisited, secrets are revealed, and the debate over the best song of the '80s takes place.

Connie Britton, currently seen on Friday Night Lights, plays Valinda, the hostess of the party. The group uses her house, which is set to be sold in the days ahead. The party destroys the house, and her small group of friends decide to extend their stay one more day in order to help her and her husband clean up the mess. As they clean, they continue to revisit old times, and much too much is revealed through the various games they play. At the end of the weekend, things are settled, but this movie is about the journey to get there.

Written and directed by Sarah Kelly, the movie also stars Eric Stoltz, Ione Skye from Say Anything, Peter Facinelli from Fastlane and Damages, and Tate Donovan from The OC. The movie truly takes us back to a great time. As a child of the '80s myself, I enjoyed this look at a group of friends revisiting their teen years and reconciling those events with the lives they lead today. It made me want to have my own "come as you were" reunion party. The ensemble cast for the film fit their roles perfectly, and Eric Stoltz surprised me in his role as the thoughtful stoner, without the weed.

The DVD includes a few extras, including deleted scenes and a behind the scenes look at the making of the movie. The Lather Effect is one to pick up for anyone who grew up in the 1980s. It will take you back in time, and for just a night might make you miss high school and your teen years.

]]>http://blogcritics.org/dvd-review-the-lather-effect/feed/0DVD Review: Army Wives: The Complete First Seasonhttp://blogcritics.org/dvd-review-army-wives-the-complete1/
http://blogcritics.org/dvd-review-army-wives-the-complete1/#respondTue, 17 Jun 2008 04:42:45 +0000Just in time for the premiere of the second season on Lifetime, Army Wives: The Complete First Season made its way onto store shelves June 10th with all thirteen episodes and plenty of bonus features for any fan of the series to love. This series takes a look at a small group of Army dependents living at Fort Marshall.

One woman, Roxy, marries a young soldier after only knowing him a few days, and this takes her to the Army post where she meets a group of Army wives and one Army husband. They all become friends, sharing their lives with each other, and all the ups and downs of being the ones left behind.

The series stars such familiar faces as Catherine Bell and Kim Delaney as they lead the cast. These two ladies are the strongest characters on the show, but the focus is on Roxy throughout the season. They all gather together to help her adjust to life as an Army wife, something that isn’t easy for her to do, but she does as best as she can. She finds work at an off-post bar, and she raises her little boys. Along the way, those around her deal with their own problems – everything from an abusive son to mistakes from the distant past to young love.

This first season is jam-packed with enough drama and excitement to suck in any viewer. The cliffhanger season ending finale made fans wait impatiently to find out what happened following an explosion at the Hump Bar they have all began to use as their base of operations.

The series premiered a year ago, and it was the highest ranked premiere for a series on Lifetime. The second series is already heating up the ratings once again with the season two premiere on June 8th. This season of Army Wives looks to be set to be even hotter than the first.

This DVD contains several behind the scenes bonus features including a deleted story line, bloopers and outtakes, cast interviews, and scenes that didn’t quite make the cut to the final product. The three-disc set is sure to be one any fan of the series would want to add it to their collection.

]]>http://blogcritics.org/dvd-review-army-wives-the-complete1/feed/0DVD Review: CHiPs – The Complete Second Seasonhttp://blogcritics.org/dvd-review-chips-the-complete-second2/
http://blogcritics.org/dvd-review-chips-the-complete-second2/#commentsMon, 09 Jun 2008 12:48:34 +0000Hot cars. Cool bikes. Crimes. Chases. Friendships. Family. Love. Those are some of the words and phrases that come to mind when I remember the series from the late '70s and early '80s, CHiPs. The series followed a group of California Highway Patrol officers in the city of Los Angeles, and if you were a fan you are in luck. Warner Bros. is now releasing the series on DVD. CHiPs: The Complete Second Season made its way onto DVD in a box set on June 3, and I was able to snag a copy all for myself.

I was born in the 1970s, and I remember this series fondly. I tuned in every single week to find out just what Officers Baker (Larry Wilcox) and Poncherello (Erik Estrada) had to deal with every week. These two rode their bikes all over the Los Angeles area, but they hit many of the freeways and streets that I lived around. They chased down bad guys and charmed the pretty women they came in contact with each and every week.

Now this series wasn’t intelligent television, but it was never meant to be. The series was fun. What show with fast cars and even faster motorcycles wouldn’t be? Yes, we had some bad guys, but things were taken care of each and every week with Jon and Ponch on the case. They had a group of friends and co-workers to help them along the way, and they always made new friends during their daily rides.

The DVD box set consists of four discs that contain all twenty-two episodes from the second season, and a special treat as actor Erik Estrada takes us behind the scenes to see the new central division as it is today. He introduces us to some of today’s faces in the California Highway Patrol. All in all, this DVD takes you back in time to when disco still ruled the dance floors and it was okay to wear clothes that tight. If you were a fan of the show, you sure do want to pick up this DVD.

]]>http://blogcritics.org/dvd-review-chips-the-complete-second2/feed/2DVD Review: Strange Wildernesshttp://blogcritics.org/dvd-review-strange-wilderness1/
http://blogcritics.org/dvd-review-strange-wilderness1/#respondSat, 31 May 2008 12:31:29 +0000Strange Wilderness, a Happy Madison Production directed by Fred Wolf, was released on DVD on May 20th. The comedy starring Steve Zahn, Ashley Scott, Jonah Hill, and Justin Long takes us into the life of one screw-up, Peter Gaulke, as he tries to save his father’s television show following his death. Peter takes over production of the series, and there seems to be one problem after another once he does. The network drops him to the late late night line-up, and threatens to pull them off the air altogether if things don’t improve.

This is when Peter hears about Bigfoot. A sighting of the creature caught on tape and shown on the failing show might save them. However, they aren’t the only ones in search of the creature. A rival team is also looking for Bigfoot, so it becomes a race to see who can find the creature first. During the journey, there is one problem after another. Everything from a turkey that decided to get a bit too close to killer pygmies, but in the end they do find Bigfoot. However, something happens there that has to be seen for yourself. This movie is meant as a comedy, but I didn’t find myself laughing all that much during it. The humor was more idiotic than anything, and I found myself laughing only in a few places.

The DVD itself contains the movie, deleted scenes, and some more special features for those that enjoyed the movie. The film comes in just under ninety minutes, but to me it felt like it was much longer. The humor was more physical than anything, and that needs to be done well in order for the punch line to work. This movie just overdid it. This one I can see making a good rental, but I don’t know if I can recommend adding it to your collection.